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San Francisco 49ers: Position-by-Position Prediction of 2016 Roster in Advance of Free Agency

By Peter Panacy

Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Anthony Davis (76) pass protects in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Anthony Davis (76) pass protects in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) is congratulated by wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) for scoring a touchdown during the first half against the St. Louis Rams at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) is congratulated by wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) for scoring a touchdown during the first half against the St. Louis Rams at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Wide Receiver (6)

Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Quinton Patton, DeAndre Smelter, Bruce Ellington, rookie

Let’s predict the 49ers are able to re-sign free-agent veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin this offseason to a short one- or two-year deal.

The reason behind this is to bridge the gap between last season and an up-and-coming crop of receivers looking to make a name for themselves at the NFL level.

General manager Trent Baalke’s recent track record of drafting wide receivers hasn’t exactly panned out. 2012 first-round selection A.J. Jenkins went bust quickly and one has to wonder whether or not third-year pro Bruce Ellington won’t gain much headway either.

And it doesn’t help that head coach Chip Kelly has a noted preference for big-bodied wideouts.

That preference could be a boost for wide receiver DeAndre Smelter though. Redshirted last season, Smelter’s 6’2″, 227-pound frame might be the ideal fit for Kelly’s offense. And if his recovery has progressed amicably enough, it’s reasonable to assume he’ll work his way up the depth chart.

Expect the Niners to land a wide receiver in the NFL draft as well to cap off this crop of pass-catching targets.

Next: Tight End